Laying A-hull outside Charleston Harbor

First, we have to apologize, our spot messenger is not functional on this blog at this moment, trying to get it resolved today.  Thanks

Renne’ and I are lying a-hull at this moment while hove-to outside of Charleston, Harbor.  It is 0322, the sky is clear, the breeze is gentle, the waves are small, and visibility is better than 12 nm.  We arrived here at 2045 yesterday after transiting from Beaufort, SC.

We left yesterday, Monday, August 1, after a night of storms.  Lightening, Thunder, and rain most of the early night.  It was nice sleep weather.  Cuddled in close as the rain tapped the deck and lightening interrupted the darkness in the stateroom. 

We awoke about 8am, slowly got dressed and went to eat breakfast at a fabulous little restaurant called Blackstone's. They serve a fabulous Cajun Shrimp Grits as their signature dish.  Stone ground grits, not the cheap 5 minute stuff we normally eat, chopped sausage patty, an onion/green and red pepper/mushroom saute’ mixture, cheese, and I know I am missing that ever important ingredient that brings the general public back each day.  What a feast.  Renne’ and I split the dish and with a bisquit or toast, it was easily enough for the two of us.

We departed the docks about 1045 in order to be in position to make the swing bridge opening at 1100.  Had we missed it, we would have had to wait until 1300 and that mistake would have put us against the current and tide.  As it was, our leaving was timed perfectly to maximize high tide, max ebb tide, and the bridge opening simultaneously.  The other boat going through the swing bridge was a Formosa 41 (the sister hull to my CT-41).  It brought back great memories.

I was moderately concerned regarding our departure through the St. Helena Sound out into the Atlantic.  Sunday night we were conversing with another couple about our route to Charleston and they were surprised we were going through the Sound.  They had never felt comfortable with the channel there as the bottom tended to shoal.  That caused me more than a little anxiety, as the last thing we needed was to run aground (anytime) with 6-8 foot tides.  It would careen the hull (lay us on our side) and it would be a wet mess trying to clean up the inside with water coming in, if we were able to float her again.  However, the Formosa owner came to our rescue in the morning, as he is a commercial boat driver and he assured us of good markers and at least 12 feet of depth the whole way. 

He was correct, and we made good time getting up here.  Unfortunately, timing the bridge got us here after dark and before daylight, so here we are, watching a few ships moving through the night toward Charleston Harbor up the ship channel. 

We leave here in 20 minutes (0400) to catch the current and tide going in so we don’t fight the current when it is coming out.  So tonite we will be at Cooper River Marina, up in the west end of Charleston Harbor, and hope for the best with the storms screaming up the East Coast.

Come join Renne’ and I and our friends Carol and Buzz Buvinghousen tonight for sundowners and dinner.  We can’t wait to see you.

Jon Ne’